blacks & tobacco
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TRANSCRIPT
How the Tobacco Industry Exploits
the Black Community
The Black community has a long, rich history
Of over-coming adversity. Of making important and significant
contributions to society in the arts, sciences, and every arena of public and private life.
Of creatively solving their problems with little or no resources.
Of promoting understanding through education, song, dance, theater, and example.
Smoking is Not a Moral Issue. It’s a Health Issue.
Smoking doesn’t make you good or bad.
Not smoking doesn’t make you good or bad.
The majority of folks who smoke say they want to quit.
Smoking robs the Black community of good health and billions of dollars in income yearly.
Smoking and African Americans: Some facts and
statistics In 2004, about 4.7 million, or 20.2 % of non-
Hispanic Black adults smoked cigarettes compared to 22 % of non-Hispanic whites. Blacks accounted for approx. 11% of the 44.5 million adults who currently smoke.
Among Blacks, as with other U.S. populations, the prevalence of smoking declines as education level increases.
Less than high school education smoking rates = 37.5 % With college education smoking rates = 10.3%
Smoking and Blacks: Some facts and statistics cont. Of Current Black adult smokers, more
than 70% indicate that they want to quit smoking completely.
The prevalence of cessation, (the % of folks who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes and quit) is higher among whites (50.5%) than among Blacks (35.4%). *statistics from the American Lung Association
Why Does Tobacco Target the Black Community?
The Black community is a disenfranchised group, thus an easier target.
Little or no resources are actually spent on intervention/cessation in the community.
The media targeting the Black community is relatively inexpensive and very effective.
Strong community support for perceived corporate supporters.
How does the Tobacco Industry Target Blacks?
Through campaigns aimed specifically at the Black community
Sponsoring events, using giveaways Promotions in bars Through Black organizations
Examples of Efforts
by the Tobacco Industry to Target
the Black Community.
Kool is a menthol brand promoted in Black culture
Here, the tobacco
industry is marketing Menthol
Cigarettes to the Black
Community
What do you think this ad is trying to convey to
the reader?
Tobacco ads targeted
directly at Black women
Lies the Tobacco Company wants the Black Community to Believe
They are a “friend” to the Black community Smoking is sexually alluring Smoking is sophisticated Smoking is an effective social lubricant Smoking helps support the Black
community Smoking is a right, so you should exercise
your rights Everyone else smokes, and so should you
The Truth About Tobacco Use
It reduces the ability to obtain and/or maintain erection
Smoking makes your teeth yellow, your breath stink, and causes cancer
Smoking causes cataracts, osteoporosis, tooth decay, hair loss, and heart disease.
Smoking causes numerous lung aliments including, emphysema, lung cancer & asthma
The Truth About Tobacco Use
Secondhand smoke is classified as a class A carcinogen by the CDC.
More women die of lung cancer than breast cancer.
Each year approx. 45,000 Blacks die from a preventable tobacco related illnesses.
Over 35,000 non-smokers die from secondhand smoke each year in America.
The Truth About Tobacco Use
More people die from tobacco than, AIDS, handguns, alcohol, and all other drugs combined
It causes premature wrinkles
* Information provided by the CDC.
The Truth About Tobacco Companies
They specifically target the Black community
They buy Black support with a few thousand dollars each year, while making billions from the Black community
They know that little or no money is being spent on intervention or cessation in the Black communities, so once someone is addicted, it is more difficult to quit
The Truth About Tobacco Companies
They produce strategic campaigns to recruit Blacks
They make billions of dollars from selling a product that is harmful, highly addictive and kills over 45,000 Blacks a year
They have a powerful lobby to protect their interests
They support pro-tobacco legislators who often are against equal rights
The Truth About Tobacco Companies
A one-year study found that three Major Black publications – Ebony, Jet, and Essence – received proportionately higher profits from cigarette advertisements than did other magazines
The most heavily advertised tobacco brands are also the most heavily used
Resources/Cessation Wellness Resource Center
Located in Bingham Commons
Student Health Center Provides Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy
PASS: Peers Advocating Smoke-free Solutions
Student Organization promoting awareness on campus
Boone County Health Department Provides Free Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Columbia has adopted a Smoke-free workplace
ordinance
Will protect workers, many of whom are Black
Will reduce initiation rates significantly Will reduce absenteeism due to tobacco
related illness, reduce the cost of insurance benefits, and increase productivity
Will make it easier for those choosing to quit to be successful